Rest In Peace

Introduction

The Hardest Lesson

The hardest lesson for the disciples to learn was that Jesus would be taken from them.

Despite him warning them of his iminent death they couldn’t absorb this fact.

The truth is we can never prepare for death, whether it comes upon us slowly or quickly.

The Bible says death “stings” and that it will be the “final enemy.”

We long for that day when death is no more.

Rest In Peace

There’s a tradition in funerals and occasions like this that unsettles me.

And it is the phrase Rest In Peace.

I don’t have a problem with the phrase, but more with its usuage.

That for those who have passed away we say rest in peace.

The Bible says that when someone dies they know nothing and that they are “asleep”. In other words they have rest and they have peace.

The Living Need Peace I

As Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for his eventual death he says this to them:

John 14:27 KJV 1900

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The antidote to the bitterness and heartbreak and turmoil caused by death is Jesus’ peace.

As each of mourn the loss of Ed. Radi, I make no pretence in understanding what hurt Sr. Georgette you are going through.

I cannot imagine what it is to lose someone who’s been your best friend; your confidant; your soul mate for the majority of your life.

The only answer I can give you and to your dear family is found in the words “my peace I give you.”

I can’t say that I knew Ed. Radi as well as many of you, but I know this he’d want you to have peace.

He’d want you to know that he has fought the good fight and has won.

Conclusion

Maybe RIP shouldn’t be meant for the dead, but for the living.

As we remember Ed. Radi and what he meant to each of us.

The antidote to our deep loss is Jesus’ peace.

And so Sr. Georgette and family, brothers and sisters as we mourn Ed. Radi’s passing I hope we will rest in peace.